One of the concerned phenomena that influencing to the performance of electron beam mask writer is contamination of
deflector. Previous studies show that the relation between the deflector contamination and pattern placement error. In fact,
the source of the contamination of deflector was not defined clearly yet. However, the fact that of deflector contamination
clearly influences the pattern placement error on mask fabrication. We think that there is no detailed investigation about the
effect of deflector contamination on the pattern placement error of production photomask. This paper will describe the effect
of e-beam positioning error due to the contamination of deflector in electron optic system. To reduce the placement error by
the deflector contamination circumstance the e-beam drift was evaluated in various conditions of deflection based on the
theoretical assumption and our own modeling, and optimization of the deflection condition. Furthermore, we will present
the requirements on position accuracy of deflector for the photomask of sub 20nm device node.
By the development of double exposure technique and the EUV lithography the pattern placement error of photomask is
interested because of its impact on size and position of wafer pattern. Among various sources to induce the pattern
placement error, we have focused on the resist charging effect and shown that the resist charging effect generates pattern
position error and CD variation. Based on experiment and simulation, we present quantitatively the dependence of
position error on pattern density, pattern shape, and writing order. Furthermore, we have discussed the model to describe
the charging effect and its agreement with experiment, and correction method to remove the resist charging effect.
According to device shrinkage, pattern load, layout geometry and process induced critical dimension (CD) trend are the
most important factors deciding mask CD uniformity in a mask manufacturing process. The CD distribution is generally
divided by two categories - contribution of pattern load and process induced CD distribution. Etch bias uniformity on a
mask is one of the decisive contributors at a standpoint of pattern load. The signature of etch bias uniformity totally
depends on the pattern load in a mask. In a low pattern load, etch bias uniformity shows a radial signature which is
geometrically distributed regardless of pattern position. In a high pattern load, etch loading effect becomes dominant.
The pattern load, however, can have various definitions, which means that a criterion of low and high pattern load can be
obscure. Specific layouts which have same pattern load over mask but separated region of low and high load pattern in
one mask was designed to specify the effect of pattern load. The radial CD signature is mitigated as pattern load
increases locally. At the same time, etch loading trend grows and dominates total CD uniformity. The radial signature and
etch loading trend have inverse signs on central region which enables to compensate each signature. Therefore a specific
pattern load which can make etch bias uniformity minimized can exist. "Transition pattern load" is detected here. One
can use this specific pattern load as an indicator to specify design categories for mass production. In addition, geometry
of layout should be considered to achieve uniformity number required in 45nm node technology. In high pattern load
over transition pattern load, etch bias shows saddle shape uniformity. Since the saddle shape uniformity is uncorrectable
with conventional etch loading kernel, new correction model should be considered to meet the confined CD specification
in future device nodes.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.